Dupong-Krier Ministry
The Dupong-Krier Ministry took office in Luxembourg on 5 November 1937 after the resignation of the prime minister Joseph Bech, due to the result of a referendum on the so-called Maulkuerfgesetz ("muzzle law").
It was a large coalition government between the
During the German
Formation
After the rejection in the
Foreign policy
The remilitarisation of the Rhineland, from 1936, reduced the safety buffer between France and Germany to the small territory of Luxembourg.[2] The presence of foreign troops in the Grand Duchy in case of a Franco-German war once again became a probability.[2] The other Western neighbour of Germany, Belgium, reacted by pulling out from the military agreement with France, and by adopting a "policy of free hands".[2] The Luxembourgish government also sought safety in a policy of neutrality.[2] To consolidate the international position of Luxembourg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Bech, imagined a diplomatic operation: the signatory states to the Treaty of London of 1867 were to reaffirm the perpetual neutrality of Luxembourg by a common declaration.[2] However, Belgium and the United Kingdom equivocated.[2] In the absence of a multilateral agreement, Bech tried to obtain a simultaneous undertaking from France and Germany.[2] While Germany had no problem in expressing towards Luxembourg all the promises that had been requested, France hesitated to commit itself.[2] The French headquarters wanted to retain a right of passage across the Grand Duchy in case of German aggression.[2] Thus, in spring 1939, with the spectre of war hovering over Europe, the government did not succeed in obtaining any formal guarantees.[2] A surprise invasion without a reaction from the other powers became probable.[2]
Domestic policy
In the face of the international threat, the Chamber granted the government an extension of its power in order to allow it to take measures necessary to safeguard the interests of the state.[3] Thus, on the basis of the laws of 28 September 1938 and of 29 August 1939, the government took a series of measures: a new declaration of neutrality, a ban on providing aid to the belligerent parties, increased monitoring of the borders, a ban on hunting in border areas, measures to save fuel and electricity, the creation of stocks of food and fuel, and monitoring of radio broadcasts and the press.[3]
In this context, the commemoration of the centenary of independence, in which the whole of Luxembourgish society participated, became a reaction against the German threat.[3] In 1939, the government skilfully used the commemoration festivities to demonstrate to European public opinion the country's desire for independence.[3] The commemoration succeeded in reconciling Luxembourgish society after it had been divided by the referendum of 1937, and reinforced national sentiments in the face of the external threat.[3]
Composition
5 November 1937 to 7 February 1938
Name | Party | Office | |
---|---|---|---|
Pierre Dupong | PD | Minister for Finances Minister for the Army | |
Joseph Bech | PD | Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Viticulture Minister for Arts and Sciences | |
Étienne Schmit (died 19 December 1937) |
PRL | Minister for the Interior Minister for Commerce Minister for Industry and Trades Minister for Transport and Electricity | |
Nicolas Margue
|
PD | Minister for Education Minister for Agriculture and Religion | |
Pierre Krier | POS | Minister for Social Security and Work Minister for Mines | |
René Blum | POS | Minister for Justice Minister for Public Works
|
7 February 1938 to 6 April 1940
Name | Party | Office | |
---|---|---|---|
Pierre Dupong | PD | Minister for Finances Minister for the Army | |
Joseph Bech | PD | Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Viticulture Minister for Arts and Sciences Minister for the Interior (acting) | |
Nicolas Margue
|
PD | Minister for Education Minister for Agriculture and Religion Minister for Commerce (acting) Minister for Industry and Trades (acting) | |
Pierre Krier | POS | Minister for Social Security and Work Minister for Mines | |
René Blum | POS | Minister for Justice Minister for Public Works Minister for Transport and Electricity (acting) |
6 April 1940 to 10 May 1940
Name | Party | Office | |
---|---|---|---|
Pierre Dupong | PD | Minister for Finances Minister for the Army | |
Joseph Bech | PD | Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Viticulture Minister for Arts and Sciences Minister for the Interior (acting) | |
Nicolas Margue
|
PD | Minister for Education Minister for Agriculture and Religion Minister for Commerce (acting) Minister for Industry and Trades (acting) | |
Pierre Krier | POS | Minister for Social Security and Work Minister for Mines | |
Victor Bodson | POS | Minister for Justice Minister for Public Works Minister for Transport and Electricity |
Footnotes
References and further reading
- Hoffmann, Serge (2002). "Les relations germano-luxembourgeoises durant les années 30" (PDF). Ons Stad (in French) (71). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
- Thewes, Guy (2011). Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 (PDF) (in French). Service Information et Presse. pp. 104–109. ISBN 978-2-87999-212-9. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2017-01-11. Retrieved 2016-01-02.